Composition and method for treating viral infection

Abstract

Methods for inhibiting virus propagation and treating virus infection are provided which include administering to cells infected with viruses a compound capable of inhibiting viral budding from the cells.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition comprising a peptide associated with a transporter that is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell, 
 wherein said peptide includes an amino acid sequence motif PX 1 X 2 P and is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101,    wherein X 1  and X 2  are amino acids, and X 2  is not R, and    wherein said peptide does not contain a contiguous amino acid sequence of an HIV GAG protein that is sufficient to impart an ability to bind the UEV domain of Tsg101 on said peptide.    
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said peptide does not contain a contiguous amino acid sequence of 10 or more residues of an HIV GAG protein that encompasses the late domain motif of said GAG protein.  
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein X 1  is threonine (T) or serine (S), and X 2  is alanine (A).  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide is covalently linked to said transporter.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of penetratins, l-Tat 49-57 , d-Tat 49-57 , retro-inverso isomers of l- or d-Tat 49-57 , L-arginine oligomers, D-arginine oligomers, L-lysine oligomers, D-lysine oligomers, L-histidine oligomers, D-histidine oligomers, L-ornithine oligomers, D-ornithine oligomers, fibroblast growth factor and fragments thereof, Galparan and fragments thereof, and HSV-1 structural protein VP22 and fragments thereof, and peptoid analogs thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein said transporter is a peptide having at least six contiguous amino acid residues that are L-arginine, D-arginine, L-lysine, D-lysine, L-histidine, D-histidine, L-ornithine, D-ornithine, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of liposomes, dendrimers, and siderophores.  
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of a first protein selected from the group consisting of Ebola virus Matrix (EbVp40) protein, HBV PreS1/PreS2/S envelope protein, HSV1 RL2 protein, HSV2 virion glycoprotein K, HSV2 Strain 333 glycoprotein I, EBV nuclear protein EBNA2, Influenza A virus hemagglutinin, HPV L1 proteins, HPV L2 proteins, HPV late proteins, HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, Rubella virus non-structural protein, Colorado tick fever virus VP12, foot-and-mouth disease virus VP1 capsid protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis E virus ORF-3 protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, HSV5 UL32 protein, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, and wherein said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the P(T/S)AP motif of said first protein.  
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of Ebola virus Matrix (EbVp40) protein, said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the late domain motif of said Matrix protein.  
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of a first protein selected from the group consisting of HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the late domain motif of said first protein.  
     
     
         11 . A composition comprising a peptide associated with a transporter that is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell by at least 100%, 
 wherein said peptide includes an amino acid sequence motif PX 1 X 2 P and is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101, wherein X 1  and X 2  are amino acids, and X 2  is not R, and    wherein said peptide does not contain a contiguous amino acid sequence of an HIV GAG protein that is sufficient to impart an ability to bind the UEV domain of Tsg101 on said peptide.    
     
     
         12 . The composition according to  claim 11 , wherein said transporter is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell by at least 300%.  
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 11 , wherein X 1  is threonine (T) or serine (S), and X 2  is alanine (A).  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein said peptide is covalently linked to said transporter.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of penetratins, l-Tat 49-57 , d-Tat 49-57 , retro-inverso isomers of l- or d-Tat 49-57 , L-arginine oligomers, D-arginine oligomers, L-lysine oligomers, D-lysine oligomers, L-histidine oligomers, D-histidine oligomers, L-ornithine oligomers, D-ornithine oligomers, fibroblast growth factor and fragments thereof, Galparan and fragments thereof, and HSV-1 structural protein VP22 and fragments thereof, and peptoid analogs thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein said transporter is a peptide having at least six contiguous amino acid residues that are L-arginine, D-arginine, L-lysine, D-lysine, L-histidine, D-histidine, L-ornithine, D-ornithine, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 11 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of liposomes, dendrimers, and siderophores.  
     
     
         18 . The composition according to  claim 11 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of a first protein selected from the group consisting of Ebola virus Matrix (EbVp40) protein, HBV PreS1/PreS2/S envelope protein, HSV1 RL2 protein, HSV2 virion glycoprotein K, HSV2 Strain 333 glycoprotein I, EBV nuclear protein EBNA2, Influenza A virus hemagglutinin, HPV L1 proteins, HPV L2 proteins, HPV late proteins, HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, Rubella virus non-structural protein, Colorado tick fever virus VP12, foot-and-mouth disease virus VP1 capsid protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis E virus ORF-3 protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, HSV5 UL32 protein, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, and wherein said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the P(T/S)AP motif of said first protein.  
     
     
         19 . The composition according to  claim 11 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of Ebola virus Matrix (EbVp40) protein, said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the late domain motif of said Matrix protein.  
     
     
         20 . The composition according to  claim 11 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of a first protein selected from the group consisting of HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the P(T/S)AP motif of said first protein.  
     
     
         21 . The composition according to  claim 11 , wherein said peptide consists of from 8 to about 50 amino acids.  
     
     
         22 . The composition according to  claim 11 , wherein said peptide consists of from 10 to about 20 amino acids.  
     
     
         23 . A composition comprising a hybrid polypeptide, said hybrid polypeptide consists of a peptide covalently linked to a peptidic transporter that is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell by at least 100%, 
 wherein said peptide consists of from about 8 to about 100 amino acid residues, comprises an amino acid sequence motif PX 1 X 2 P, and is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101, wherein X 1  and X 2  are amino acids, and X 2  is not R, and    wherein said peptide does not contain a contiguous amino acid sequence of an HIV GAG protein that is sufficient to impart an ability to bind the UEV domain of Tsg101 on said peptide.    
     
     
         24 . The composition according to  claim 23 , wherein said peptide consists of from about 9 to about 20 amino acid residues.  
     
     
         25 . The composition according to  claim 24 , wherein said transporter that is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell by at least 300%.  
     
     
         26 . The composition according to  claim 23 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of penetrating, l-Tat 49-57 , retro-inverso isomers of l-Tat 49-57 , L-arginine oligomers, L-lysine oligomers, L-histidine oligomers, fibroblast growth factor and fragments thereof, Galparan and fragments thereof, HSV-1 structural protein VP22 and fragments thereof, and peptides consisting of at least six contiguous amino acid residues that are L-arginine oligomers, L-lysine oligomers, L-histidine oligomers or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         27 . An isolated nucleic acid encoding the hybrid polypeptide according to  claim 23 .  
     
     
         28 . An isolated nucleic acid encoding the hybrid polypeptide according to  claim 24 .  
     
     
         29 . An isolated nucleic acid encoding the hybrid polypeptide according to  claim 25 .  
     
     
         30 . A host cell comprising the isolated nucleic acid according to  claim 27 .  
     
     
         31 . A host cell comprising the isolated nucleic acid according to  claim 28 .  
     
     
         32 . A host cell comprising the isolated nucleic acid according to  claim 29 .  
     
     
         33 . An isolated peptide consisting of a contiguous amino acid sequence of from 8 to about 30 amino acid residues of a viral protein selected from the group consisting of HBV PreS1/PreS2/S envelope protein, HSV1 RL2 protein, HSV2 virion glycoprotein K, HSV2 Strain 333 glycoprotein I, EBV nuclear protein EBNA2, Influenza A virus hemagglutinin, HPV L1 proteins, HPV L2 proteins, HPV late proteins, HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, Rubella virus non-structural protein, Colorado tick fever virus VP12, foot-and-mouth disease virus VP1 capsid protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, 
 wherein said contiguous amino acid sequence encompasses the P(T/S)AP motif of said viral protein,    wherein wherein said peptide is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101,    and wherein said peptide does not contain a contiguous amino acid sequence of an HIV GAG protein or Ebola virus Matrix (EbVp40) protein that is sufficient to impart an ability to bind the UEV domain of Tsg100 on said peptide.    
     
     
         34 . The isolated peptide according to  claim 33 , wherein said isolated peptide consists of from 9 to about 20 amino acid residues.  
     
     
         35 . The isolated peptide of  claim 33 , wherein said peptide comprises of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 38-125, SEQ ID NOs: 126-268, SEQ ID NOs: 269-554, SEQ ID NOs: 555-697, SEQ ID NOs: 698-749, SEQ ID NOs: 750-892, SEQ ID NOs: 893-1035, SEQ ID NOs: 1036-1178, SEQ ID NOs: 1179-1321, SEQ ID NOs: 1322-1464, SEQ ID NOs: 1465-1607, SEQ ID NOs: 1608-1750, SEQ ID NOs: 1751-1893, SEQ ID NOs: 1894-2036, SEQ ID NOs: 2037-2179, SEQ ID NOs: 2180-2322, SEQ ID NOs: 2323-2459, SEQ ID NOs: 2460-2602, SEQ ID NOs: 2603-2745, SEQ ID NOs: 2888-3030, SEQ ID NOs: 3174-3316, and SEQ ID NOs: 3317-3459.  
     
     
         36 . An isolated nucleic acid encoding the isolated peptide according to  claim 33 .  
     
     
         37 . An isolated nucleic acid encoding the isolated peptide according to  claim 34 .  
     
     
         38 . An isolated nucleic acid encoding the isolated peptide according to  claim 35 .  
     
     
         39 . A method for inhibiting HIV budding from cells, comprising: 
 administering to cells a composition comprising a peptide associated with a transporter that is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell,    wherein said peptide includes an amino acid sequence motif PX 1 X 2 P and is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101,    wherein X 1  and X 2  are amino acids, and X 2  is not R, and    wherein said peptide does not contain a contiguous amino acid sequence of an HIV GAG protein that is sufficient to impart an ability to bind the UEV domain of Tsg101 on said peptide.    
     
     
         40 . A method for inhibiting HIV budding from cells, comprising: 
 introducing into cells infected with HIV a peptide consisting of from 8 to about 30 amino acid residues and having an amino acid sequence motif PX 1 X 2 P, wherein X 1  and X 2  are amino acids, and X 2  is not R,    wherein said peptide is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101, and    wherein said peptide does not contain a contiguous amino acid sequence of an HIV GAG protein that is sufficient to impart an ability to bind the UEV domain of Tsg101 on said peptide.    
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said introducing step comprises administering to the cells a nucleic acid encoding said peptide.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein X 1  is T or S, and X 2  is A.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of at least 9 residues of a viral protein selected from the group consisting of HBV PreS1/PreS2/S envelope protein, HSV1 RL2 protein, HSV2 virion glycoprotein K, HSV2 Strain 333 glycoprotein I, EBV nuclear protein EBNA2, Influenza A virus hemagglutinin, HPV L1 proteins, HPV L2 proteins, HPV late proteins, HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, Rubella virus non-structural protein, Colorado tick fever virus VP12, foot-and-mouth disease virus VP1 capsid protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, and 
 wherein said contiguous amino acid sequence encompasses the P(T/S)AP motif of said viral protein.    
     
     
         44 . A method for treating HIV infection, comprising: 
 introducing into a patient in need of such treatment a peptide consisting of from 8 to about 30 amino acid residues and having an amino acid sequence motif PX 1 X 2 P, wherein X 1  and X 2  are amino acids, and X 2  is not R,    wherein said peptide is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101, and    wherein said peptide does not contain a contiguous amino acid sequence of an HIV GAG protein that is sufficient to impart an ability to bind the UEV domain of Tsg101 on said peptide.    
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said introducing step comprises administering to the cells a nucleic acid encoding said peptide.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein X 1  is T or S, and X 2  is A.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of at least 9 residues of a viral protein selected from the group consisting of HBV PreS1/PreS2/S envelope protein, HSV1 RL2 protein, HSV2 virion glycoprotein K, HSV2 Strain 333 glycoprotein I, EBV nuclear protein EBNA2, Influenza A virus hemagglutinin, HPV L1 proteins, HPV L2 proteins, HPV late proteins, HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, Rubella virus non-structural protein, Colorado tick fever virus VP12, foot-and-mouth disease virus VP1 capsid protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, and 
 wherein said contiguous amino acid sequence encompasses the P(T/S)AP motif of said viral protein.    
     
     
         48 . A method for treating HIV infection, comprising: 
 administering to a patient in need of such treatment a composition comprising a peptide associated with a transporter that is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell,    wherein said peptide includes an amino acid sequence motif PX 1 X 2 P and is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101, wherein X 1  and X 2  are amino acids, and X 2  is not R, and    wherein said peptide does not contain a contiguous amino acid sequence of an HIV GAG protein that is sufficient to impart an ability to bind the UEV domain of Tsg101 on said peptide.    
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein X 1  is threonine (T) or serine (S), and X 2  is alanine (A).  
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein said peptide is covalently linked to said transporter.  
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of penetrating, l-Tat 49-57 , d-Tat 49-57 , retro-inverso isomers of l- or d-Tat 49-57 , L-arginine oligomers, D-arginine oligomers, L-lysine oligomers, D-lysine oligomers, L-histidine oligomers, D-histidine oligomers, L-ornithine oligomers, D-ornithine oligomers, fibroblast growth factor and fragments thereof, Galparan and fragments thereof, and HSV-1 structural protein VP22 and fragments thereof, and peptoid analogs thereof.  
     
     
         52 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein said transporter is a peptide having at least six contiguous amino acid residues that are L-arginine, D-arginine, L-lysine, D-lysine, L-histidine, D-histidine, L-ornithine, D-ornithine, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         53 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of liposomes, dendrimers, and siderophores.  
     
     
         54 . A method according to  claim 48 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of a first protein selected from the group consisting of Ebola virus Matrix (EbVp40) protein, HBV PreS 1/PreS2/S envelope protein, HSV1 RL2 protein, HSV2 virion glycoprotein K, HSV2 Strain 333 glycoprotein I, EBV nuclear protein EBNA2, Influenza A virus hemagglutinin, HPV L1 proteins, HPV L2 proteins, HPV late proteins, HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, Rubella virus non-structural protein, Colorado tick fever virus VP12, foot-and-mouth disease virus VP1 capsid protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis E virus ORF-3 protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, HSV5 UL32 protein, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, and wherein said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the P(T/S)AP motif of said first protein.  
     
     
         55 . A method according to  claim 48 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of Ebola virus Matrix (EbVp40) protein, said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the late domain motif of said Matrix protein.  
     
     
         56 . A method according to  claim 48 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of a first protein selected from the group consisting of HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the late domain motif of said first protein.  
     
     
         57 . A method for treating HIV infection, comprising: 
 administering to a patient in need of such treatment a composition comprising a peptide associated with a transporter that is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell by at least 100%,    wherein said peptide includes an amino acid sequence motif PX 1 X 2 P and is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101, wherein X 1  and X 2  are amino acids, and X 2  is not R, and    wherein said peptide does not contain a contiguous amino acid sequence of an HIV GAG protein that is sufficient to impart an ability to bind the UEV domain of Tsg101 on said peptide.    
     
     
         58 . A method according to  claim 57 , wherein said transporter is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell by at least 300%.  
     
     
         59 . A method according to  claim 57 , wherein X 1  is threonine (T) or serine (S), and X 2  is alanine (A).  
     
     
         60 . A method according to  claim 57 , wherein said peptide is covalently linked to said transporter.  
     
     
         61 . A method according to  claim 60 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of penetrating, l-Tat 49-57 , d-Tat 49-57 , retro-inverso isomers of l- or d-Tat 49-57 , L-arginine oligomers, D-arginine oligomers, L-lysine oligomers, D-lysine oligomers, L-histidine oligomers, D-histidine oligomers, L-ornithine oligomers, D-ornithine oligomers, fibroblast growth factor and fragments thereof, Galparan and fragments thereof, and HSV-1 structural protein VP22 and fragments thereof, and peptoid analogs thereof.  
     
     
         62 . A method according to  claim 60 , wherein said transporter is a peptide having at least six contiguous amino acid residues that are L-arginine, D-arginine, L-lysine, D-lysine, L-histidine, D-histidine, L-ornithine, D-ornithine, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         63 . A method according to  claim 57 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of liposomes, dendrimers, and siderophores.  
     
     
         64 . A method according to  claim 57 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of a first protein selected from the group consisting of Ebola virus Matrix (EbVp40) protein, HBV PreS1/PreS2/S envelope protein, HSV1 RL2 protein, HSV2 virion glycoprotein K, HSV2 Strain 333 glycoprotein I, EBV nuclear protein EBNA2, Influenza A virus hemagglutinin, HPV L1 proteins, HPV L2 proteins, HPV late proteins, HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, Rubella virus non-structural protein, Colorado tick fever virus VP12, foot-and-mouth disease virus VP1 capsid protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis E virus ORF-3 protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, HSV5 UL32 protein, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, and wherein said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the P(T/S)AP motif of said first protein.  
     
     
         65 . A method according to  claim 57 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of Ebola virus Matrix (EbVp40) protein, said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the late domain motif of said Matrix protein.  
     
     
         66 . A method according to  claim 57 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of a first protein selected from the group consisting of HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the P(T/S)AP motif of said first protein.  
     
     
         67 . A method according to  claim 57 , wherein said peptide consists of from 8 to about 50 amino acids.  
     
     
         68 . A method according to  claim 57 , wherein said peptide consists of from 10 to about 20 amino acids.  
     
     
         69 . A method for treating HIV infection, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a composition comprising a hybrid polypeptide, said hybrid polypeptide consists of a peptide covalently linked to a peptidic transporter that is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell by at least 100%, 
 wherein said peptide consists of from about 8 to about 100 amino acid residues, comprises an amino acid sequence motif PX 1 X2P, and is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101, wherein X 1  and X 2  are amino acids, and X 2  is not R, and    wherein said peptide does not contain a contiguous amino acid sequence of an HIV GAG protein that is sufficient to impart an ability to bind the UEV domain of Tsg101 on said peptide.    
     
     
         70 . A method according to  claim 69 , wherein said peptide consists of from about 9 to about 20 amino acid residues.  
     
     
         71 . A method according to  claim 70 , wherein said transporter that is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell by at least 300%.  
     
     
         72 . A method according to  claim 69 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of penetratins, l-Tat 49-57 , retro-inverso isomers of l-Tat 49-57 , L-arginine oligomers, L-lysine oligomers, L-histidine oligomers, fibroblast growth factor and fragments thereof, Galparan and fragments thereof, HSV-1 structural protein VP22 and fragments thereof, and peptides consisting of at least six contiguous amino acid residues that are L-arginine oligomers, L-lysine oligomers, L-histidine oligomers or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         73 . A method for treating an infection caused by a virus, wherein the virus is a member of the group consisting of hepatitis B virus, human herpesvirus 1, and human herpesvirus 2, said method comprising: 
 introducing into a patient in need of such treatment a peptide consisting of from 8 to about 30 amino acid residues and having an amino acid sequence motif PX 1 X 2 P, wherein X 1  and X 2  are amino acids, and X 2  is not R,    wherein said peptide is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101.    
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein said introducing step comprises administering to the cells a nucleic acid encoding said peptide.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein X 1  is T or S, and X 2  is A.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of at least 9 residues of a viral protein selected from the group consisting of HIV GAG protein, Ebola virus matrix protein, HBV PreS1/PreS2/S envelope protein, HSV1 RL2 protein, HSV2 virion glycoprotein K, HSV2 Strain 333 glycoprotein I, EBV nuclear protein EBNA2, Influenza A virus hemagglutinin, HPV L1 proteins, HPV L2 proteins, HPV late proteins, HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, Rubella virus non-structural protein, Colorado tick fever virus VP12, foot-and-mouth disease virus VP1 capsid protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, HSV5 UL32 protein, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, Hepatitis E Virus ORF-3 protein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, 
 wherein said contiguous amino acid sequence encompasses the P(T/S)AP motif of said viral protein.    
     
     
         77 . A method for treating an infection caused by a virus, wherein the virus is a member of the group consisting of hepatitis B virus, human herpesvirus 1, and human herpesvirus 2, said method comprising: 
 administering to a patient in need of such treatment a composition comprising a peptide associated with a transporter that is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell, and    wherein said peptide includes an amino acid sequence motif PX 1 X 2 P and is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101, wherein X 1  and X 2  are amino acids, and X 2  is not R.    
     
     
         78 . The method according to  claim 77 , wherein X 1  is threonine (T) or serine (S), and X 2  is alanine (A).  
     
     
         79 . The method according to  claim 77 , wherein said peptide is covalently linked to said transporter.  
     
     
         80 . The method according to  claim 79 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of penetratins, l-Tat 49-57 , d-Tat 49-57 , retro-inverso isomers of l- or d-Tat 49-57 , L-arginine oligomers, D-arginine oligomers, L-lysine oligomers, D-lysine oligomers, L-histidine oligomers, D-histidine oligomers, L-ornithine oligomers, D-ornithine oligomers, fibroblast growth factor and fragments thereof, Galparan and fragments thereof, and HSV-1 structural protein VP22 and fragments thereof, and peptoid analogs thereof.  
     
     
         81 . A method according to  claim 79 , wherein said transporter is a peptide having at least six contiguous amino acid residues that are L-arginine, D-arginine, L-lysine, D-lysine, L-histidine, D-histidine, L-ornithine, D-ornithine, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         82 . A method according to  claim 79 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of liposomes, dendrimers, and siderophores.  
     
     
         83 . A method according to  claim 77 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of a first protein selected from the group consisting of HIV GAG protein, Ebola virus Matrix (EbVp40) protein, HBV PreS1/PreS2/S envelope protein, HSV1 RL2 protein, HSV2 virion glycoprotein K, HSV2 Strain 333 glycoprotein I, EBV nuclear protein EBNA2, Influenza A virus hemagglutinin, HPV L1 proteins, HPV L2 proteins, HPV late proteins, HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, Rubella virus non-structural protein, Colorado tick fever virus VP12, foot-and-mouth disease virus VP1 capsid protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis E virus ORF-3 protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, HSV5 UL32 protein, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, Hepatitis E Virus ORF-3 protein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, and wherein said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the P(T/S)AP motif of said first protein.  
     
     
         84 . A method according to  claim 77 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of Ebola virus Matrix (EbVp40) protein or HIV GAG protein, said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the late domain motif of said Matrix protein or GAG protein.  
     
     
         85 . A method according to  claim 77 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of a first protein selected from the group consisting of HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the late domain motif of said first protein.  
     
     
         86 . A method for treating an infection caused by a virus, wherein the virus is a member of the group consisting of hepatitis B virus, human herpesvirus 1, and human herpesvirus 2, said method comprising: 
 administering to a patient in need of such treatment a composition comprising a peptide associated with a transporter that is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell by at least 100%, and wherein said peptide includes an amino acid sequence motif PX 1 X 2 P and is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101, wherein X 1  and X 2  are amino acids, and X 2  is not R.    
     
     
         87 . A method according to  claim 86 , wherein said transporter is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell by at least 300%.  
     
     
         88 . A method according to  claim 86 , wherein X 1  is threonine (T) or serine (S), and X 2  is alanine (A).  
     
     
         89 . A method according to  claim 86 , wherein said peptide is covalently linked to said transporter.  
     
     
         90 . A method according to  claim 89 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of penetratins, l-Tat 49-57 , d-Tat 49-57 , retro-inverso isomers of l- or d-Tat 49-57 , L-arginine oligomers, D-arginine oligomers, L-lysine oligomers, D-lysine oligomers, L-histidine oligomers, D-histidine oligomers, L-ornithine oligomers, D-ornithine oligomers, fibroblast growth factor and fragments thereof, Galparan and fragments thereof, and HSV-1 structural protein VP22 and fragments thereof, and peptoid analogs thereof.  
     
     
         91 . A method according to  claim 89 , wherein said transporter is a peptide having at least six contiguous amino acid residues that are L-arginine, D-arginine, L-lysine, D-lysine, L-histidine, D-histidine, L-ornithine, D-ornithine, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         92 . A method according to  claim 86 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of liposomes, dendrimers, and siderophores.  
     
     
         93 . A method according to  claim 86 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of a first protein selected from the group consisting of HIV GAG protein, Ebola virus Matrix (EbVp40) protein, HBV PreS1/PreS2/S envelope protein, HSV1 RL2 protein, HSV2 virion glycoprotein K, HSV2 Strain 333 glycoprotein I, EBV nuclear protein EBNA2, Influenza A virus hemagglutinin, HPV L1 proteins, HPV L2 proteins, HPV late proteins, HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, Rubella virus non-structural protein, Colorado tick fever virus VP12, foot-and-mouth disease virus VP1 capsid protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis E virus ORF-3 protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, HSV5 UL32 protein, HSV5 UL32 protein, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, Hepatitis E Virus ORF-3 protein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, and wherein said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the P(T/S)AP motif of said first protein.  
     
     
         94 . A method according to  claim 86 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of Ebola virus Matrix (EbVp40) protein or HIV GAG protein, said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the late domain motif of said Matrix protein or GAG protein.  
     
     
         95 . A method according to  claim 86 , wherein said peptide includes a contiguous amino acid sequence of a first protein selected from the group consisting of HTLV-2 GAG protein, West Nile virus polyprotein precursor, Measles virus matrix protein, human foamy virus GAG protein, hepatitis G virus polyprotein precursor, human parechovirus 2 polyprotein, and Semliki forest virus polyprotein, said contiguous amino acid sequence encompassing the P(T/S)AP motif of said first protein.  
     
     
         96 . A method according to  claim 86 , wherein said peptide consists of from 8 to about 50 amino acids.  
     
     
         97 . A method according to  claim 86 , wherein said peptide consists of from 10 to about 20 amino acids.  
     
     
         98 . A method for treating an infection caused by a virus, wherein the virus is a member of the group consisting of hepatitis B virus, human herpesvirus 1, and human herpesvirus 2, said method comprising: 
 administering to a patient in need of such treatment a composition comprising a hybrid polypeptide, said hybrid polypeptide consists of a peptide covalently linked to a peptidic transporter that is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell by at least 100%, and    wherein said peptide consists of from about 8 to about 100 amino acid residues, comprises an amino acid sequence motif PX 1 X 2 P, and is capable of binding the UEV domain of Tsg101, wherein X 1  and X 2  are amino acids, and X 2  is not R.    
     
     
         99 . A method according to  claim 98 , wherein said peptide consists of from about 9 to about 20 amino acid residues.  
     
     
         100 . A method according to  claim 99 , wherein said transporter that is capable of increasing the uptake of said peptide by a mammalian cell by at least 300%.  
     
     
         101 . A method according to  claim 98 , wherein said transporter is selected from the group consisting of penetratins, l-Tat 49-57 , retro-inverso isomers of l-Tat 49-57 , L-arginine oligomers, L-lysine oligomers, L-histidine oligomers, fibroblast growth factor and fragments thereof, Galparan and fragments thereof, HSV-1 structural protein VP22 and fragments thereof, and peptides consisting of at least six contiguous amino acid residues that are L-arginine oligomers, L-lysine oligomers, L-histidine oligomers or a combination thereof.